Nine Days Later, Maine’s Ranked-Choice Voting Count Still Drags On

I spent most of Wednesday at the Department of Public Safety building in Augusta watching Maine’s ranked-choice voting tabulation process unfold.

Or perhaps more accurately, slowly unfold.

To be clear, everyone involved was friendly and professional. Staff from the Secretary of State’s Office, Maine State Police personnel, campaign representatives, members of the media, and election observers all maintained positive attitudes despite being gathered eight days after Election Day with final results still unresolved.

The process itself, however, raised more questions than it answered.

The ranked-choice voting tabulation is being livestreamed on YouTube through the Secretary of State’s channel. Anyone curious enough to tune in would quickly discover that watching grass grow might be a more productive use of time.

The staff appeared to be working hard and following a plan. Yet from the outside looking in, it often felt as though the process was being built in real time. At various points throughout the day, a troubling question lingered in the room: Does anyone truly understand every aspect of the ranked-choice process, the rules, and the laws governing it?

Based on what unfolded throughout the day, it was difficult to conclude that the answer was yes.

The operation paused for lunch, with sandwiches, snacks, and drinks provided for workers and observers. The spread looked considerably better than the granola bar and warm bottle of water I brought with me. After lunch, however, the pace seemed slow to recover.

Then came one of the more surprising moments of the day.

Election officials posed a question to observers and members of the media: How should the results be reported?

The question immediately caught many in the room off guard.

The obvious answer seemed simple: finish counting the ballots and report the results according to the law.

When I suggested exactly that, follow the rules and follow the law, the reaction was less than enthusiastic. The response included more than a few uncomfortable looks from around the room.

As the afternoon wore on, hours turned into more hours. Questions continued to circulate about whether final results would be available before the end of the day.

Observers were assured that staff would remain on site as long as necessary to finish the process.

Fortunately, I eventually had to leave the room and step into the hallway to do Maine Wire TV. It was a welcome break from spending the day in a room where, at times, it felt as though no one particularly wanted me asking questions.

But the drama was far from over.

Halfway through the broadcast, another update arrived.

Officials had discovered that vote totals from South Berwick did not match. Maine State Police were dispatched to South Berwick Town Hall to retrieve ballots and records for review, creating what was expected to be roughly a three-hour delay.

Soon afterward came another announcement.

Final results would not be released Wednesday after all. Instead, officials indicated that results would likely be delayed until sometime Thursday morning or early afternoon.

Hopefully.

That timeline comes with additional pressure. Friday is Juneteenth, a federal holiday when most government offices will be closed. If results are not finalized Thursday, additional questions are likely to emerge regarding when voters can expect definitive answers.

After spending the day observing the process, I came away with mixed emotions.

I genuinely feel for the staff tasked with carrying out this complicated procedure. Many appeared tired and were clearly doing their best within a system they did not create.

More importantly, I feel for Maine voters.

Nine days after casting their ballots, many still do not know the final outcome of statewide races.

How is that possible?

Why is it acceptable?

At what point do voters begin questioning whether ranked-choice voting is worth the time, complexity, and expense?

The costs continue to mount. State Police travel, fuel, vehicle wear and tear, transportation of ballots and data drives, overtime, staffing, food, administrative expenses, and countless other operational costs all add up. While the state has not yet released a final accounting, it is difficult to imagine the total cost being insignificant.

Meanwhile, voters continue to wait.

The counting will continue Thursday, and so will the questions.

I’ll be back in Augusta watching the process unfold.

Check back with The Maine Wire for continuing coverage.